The Black Family Legacy

Cygnus Black gets a detention

Minerva McGonagall is perplexed when she sits at her desk to find an envelope adressed to her, and she glances over her students to make sure that they are working before she opens it. 

Dear Professor McGonnogall, 

You helped my mother tell my father she was pregnant.

You checked in regularly with her while she was pregnant and did your best to help her in any way. 

You stayed with my mother and helped her give birth to me

You took turns watching me when I was a baby

When I went away you stayed away too, because that is what was wise

When Sirius rescued me, you began to hang around again, because you still cared

When James and Lily died you argued with Dumbledore over Harry

When Remus didn’t want to give me up you joined him and you fought for me, as a godmother should

After sitting on that stool for nearly ten minutes, the Sorting Hat finally yelled Slytherin, and as you took the hat off my head you whispered “congratulations”

When I was 11 you gave me glasses, the one thing that finally helped my problems, and you seemed so confused when I was much more grateful than I should have been

When I was 11 I say the tears in your eyes when I had a panic attack before potions because I was terrified of Professor Snape

When I jumped off of my broom and into the stands to catch the snitch in a Quidditch Match second year and nearly broke my neck, you came to the hospital wing and scolded me, then congratulated me on my catch

When I was a scrawny 13 year old and put half my team in the hospital wing you followed me into Snape’s office to make sure a repeat of 1st year didn’t happen

When Ginny Weasely was abducted and the Weaselys were all in Dumbledore’s office, you sent Snape to fetch me

When everyone thought my murderous uncle was roaming the countryside, you gave detention to anyone spreading rumors

When he broke into the castle and we had to spend the night in the great hall you let me and Cedric stay up being silly because we were dealing with things as we do 

You threatened to expel the student who blatantly accused me of helping Sirius into the castle

I’ve seen Cedric’s notes. I know you slipped him extra notes so he could help me

You were genuinely concerned when I stopped being friends with the twins

And last of all, you helped give me this book, my past, my family. Thank you, so very much. 

Your goddaughter
 
Mcgonagall discreetly pats the tears from her eyes, doing her best to remain composed. She caught the eye of the Slytherin girl, who gave her a small smile. Minerva nodded, mouthed a thankyou. 

The girl returned to her work. 

Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days, Cygnus found that she didn’t seem to fancy the extravagantly prepared food as much as she would have normally.